FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Construction season, which is defined as the time between April and late Fall, is underway in Northeast Indiana. Currently, there are around 16 INDOT projects in Allen County alone with a price tag of just under $6 million. However, INDOT covers 17 counties in the region, and the cost of all the projects is much higher.

The construction sites have nothing to do with pothole repairs or the harsh winter we had. INDOT Communications leader, Toni Mayo, said all of the projects currently underway were planned three years ago. Engineers study traffic conditions and develop ways to improve the roads. Then, INDOT accepts bids, mostly year round, from contractors. The contractor chosen would have submitted the lowest bid.

These new projects will include bridge reconstruction, new pavement, and lane additions in places like State Road 14 from West Hamilton Road to Scott Road. That project will be completed by Halloween. Construction crews are also working on making Coliseum three lanes all the way down. In order to merge the road, crews will join the bridges together between Parnell and Anthony and should have that completed by mid-October. Crews are also constructing a diverging diamond on Dupont which will also be completed by mid-October.

“We’re always going to see orange,” Mayo said. “We’re always going to have a need to take care of our roads.”

Mayo also said during the construction season drivers need to be more alert because last year, there were 13 people killed in work zones. She also said that tickets are more expensive if drivers get caught speeding through a construction site.
INDOT leaders said mostly all of the projects in Allen County will be completed this year, between August and Thanksgiving. Some projects that will begin in May include an I-469 westbound off-ramp at Auburn Road.